Explosions and gunfire are concentrated in the southern suburbs of the city, where relatives of Mr Saleh live.

Image copyrightEPA

Image caption
Houthi rebels operated checkpoints in Sanaa as the clashes between them and Saleh forces continued

“I call on our brothers in neighbouring countries… to stop their aggression and lift the blockade… and we will turn the page,” Mr Saleh said in a TV address.

He condemned the Houthis – who are backed by Iran but have been his allies against the internationally-recognised government for years – for a “blatant assault” on members of his party, the General People’s Congress.

More than 8,670 people have been killed and 49,960 injured since a Saudi-led coalition backing Mr Hadi intervened in the conflict in 2015, according to the UN.

The conflict and a blockade by the coalition has also left 20.7 million people in need of humanitarian aid, created the world’s largest food security emergency, and led to a cholera outbreak that is thought to have killed 2,211 people since April.